Press Releases

SHWF visits farming community in Yuen Long

The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, met a number of farmers taking part in Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's (AFCD) Organic Farming Conversion Scheme today (February 10) to understand their operation.

During his visit to an organic farm in Ng Ka Tsuen, Yuen Long, Dr Yeoh discussed with the farm owner his 50 years of experience in growing vegetables.

The owner, Mr Ko, started to practise organic farming in 2000 and now grows cherry tomato, cabbage and beet among others in his two vegetable farms covering about 0.6 hectare of land.

Dr Yeoh was glad to see that Mr Ko was able to make the small business a viable livelihood proposition.

He was encouraged to see that farmers practicing organic farming did not apply chemical fertilizers and pesticides to their crops but adopted knowledge-based farming methods to work in harmony with the nature and contribute to conservation.

"There is an increasing demand for organic products by consumers, particularly among those who are more environment conscious," Dr Yeoh said.

Under the Organic Farming Conversion Scheme launched in December 2002, AFCD provides farmers practising organic farming with technical support and low-interest start up loans where necessary. Besides, the Vegetable Marketing Organization (VMO) assists the farmers in marketing organic vegetables through sale arrangements with supermarkets and health food stores.

In addition, VMO has approved from the Agricultural Development Fund about $3.9 million for establishing an Organic Resource Centre with a view to developing an organic standard and certification system which will help safeguard consumers' interests and facilitate the development of the local organic industry.

There are now 25 vegetable farms covering a total of about 8 hectares of land in Ng Ka Tsuen, Tai Kong Po, Ping Che and Ho Sheung Heung of various districts. These farms together produce an average of about two tonnes of organic vegetables each day.

Earlier in the day, Dr Yeoh visited the New Territories Chicken Breeders Association in Yuen Long where he met the vice-chairman, Mr Hung Yuet-kin, and other committee members.

Speaking after the visit, Dr Yeoh said he was encouraged by the breeders' recognition of the importance in keeping a high standard of hygiene in their farms and their preparedness to take action towards this end.

"Implementing biosecurity measures is an integral part of the strategy to reduce the risk of avian influenza outbreak," he said.

"As the avian influenza virus has become endemic, we expect to continue to see sporadic cases of avian influenza, particularly when we have poultry farming and live birds trading at the retail level.

"To minimise the risk of outbreaks and the risk of the virus affecting men, it is of paramount importance that we implement a multi-pronged strategy comprising heightened farm biosecurity, stringent hygienic practices in farms and markets and an effective surveillance system.

"The success of this strategy depends on a close partnership with the trade. I am encouraged by their co-operation in this issue," Dr Yeoh said.

Dr Yeoh was accompanied by the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Liu Kwei-kin, in the visit.

End/Monday, February 10, 2002
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